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DESTINATION BRISBANE: EVOLUTION OF A GLOBAL CITY
Evolution of a global city
The 2032 Brisbane Olympics are on the horizon, and the Queensland capital is experiencing huge change, transforming into a world-class city for business events and innovative thinking, writes Gavin Dennett.
With seven years to go until the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, the world’s eyes are on the Queensland capital.
The city is undergoing rapid transformation as it prepares for one of the biggest global sporting events, which brings with it new infrastructure, bold attractions and innovative ideas.
As Brisbane metamorphosises into a leading global city, it is garnering a worthy reputation as a salient destination to do business, with leading initiatives in sustainability and economic prosperity. This change has delivered many accolades along the way.
With an ambitious $25 billion infrastructure pipeline, Brisbane is excited to be creating an ecology of world-class event spaces, transport networks and hospitality services.
– Lorelle Chittick, BEDA
“Brisbane is proud to be Australia’s ‘bleisure’ capital,” says Lorelle Chittick, Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s general manager of tourism, business and major events. “According to Corporate Traveller’s flight booking data from October 2023 to March 2024, business travellers are spending an average of 5.2 days in Brisbane. With a packed calendar of major events, world-class hotel and accommodation offerings and a growing dining scene, it’s no surprise Brisbane is enticing business travellers to stay longer and explore our beautiful city.
“Brisbane is also a global leader in sustainable business events, ranking 33rd out of 100 global cities for sustainability in the Global Destination Sustainability Movement’s annual index. It is one of only three cities that achieved gold certification under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Cities Global Initiative.
“Brisbane has gained international recognition and global praise as an in-demand cultural and lifestyle destination from TIME, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s and The New York Times, the latter which named the city among its ‘52 Places to Go in 2024’.”
Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) is helping drive the narrative of Brisbane being a city on the move, a hub of fresh ideas and progressive thinking, and prioritising the health of the planet.
“Our city holds EarthCheck’s Bronze Benchmark status, showcasing longstanding commitment to environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability,” says Chittick. “The incredible BEDA team helps drive these efforts, partnering with sustainable venues such as Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (EarthCheck Platinum) and eco-conscious hotels such as Crystalbrook Vincent.
“Brisbane recently hosted the Global Sustainable Tourism Summit, celebrating Ecotourism Australia’s legacy of hosting one of the world’s longest-running ecotourism conferences. The event was a huge success, bringing together international and Australian experts to share insights, showcase innovations and discuss the challenges and opportunities in sustainable tourism.
“With all eyes on the world’s first climatepositive Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, Brisbane is eager to demonstrate how business events can foster global sustainability and inclusivity.”
When visiting Brisbane, there is a palpable buzz in the air as excitement grows ahead of hosting the Olympics – in the same way Sydney anticipated hosting the Games in 2000.
“The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will propel Brisbane into the global spotlight, forever changing how the city is perceived worldwide,” says Chittick. “With the legacy starting now, this unprecedented global attention is boosting market confidence, attracting investment and drawing in people, helping to enhance the city’s reputation as a leading destination for leisure and events.
“Closer to home, the city is buzzing with anticipation, excited by city-shaping developments and opportunities the Games will bring in the lead up to 2032 and beyond.”
As new infrastructure and precincts take shape – including The Star Brisbane at the 12.5-hectare, $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf – Brisbane’s capability of hosting large-scale events is evolving.
“Key infrastructure projects, including upgrades to Brisbane Airport and transformative city precincts such as Queen’s Wharf, alongside city-shaping public transport projects, are enhancing the city’s ability to host visitors at mass,” says Chittick.
“With an ambitious $25 billion infrastructure pipeline, Brisbane is excited to be creating an ecology of world-class event spaces, transport networks and hospitality services.
“Brisbane’s river winds through the city’s precincts, creating a compact, walkable CBD. Neville Bonner Bridge and Kangaroo Point active transport bridges enhance pedestrianfriendly access, seamlessly connecting the CBD, dining and hospitality hubs, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, and cultural precincts.
“These bridges improve urban connectivity, allowing delegates to easily explore the city, walk from the CBD to cultural precincts, enjoy Howard Smith Wharves, and cross to the Gabba precinct via the Kangaroo Point active transport bridge.”
The business events sector is a natural beneficiary of Brisbane’s transformation, with new venues, hotels and incentive attractions helping lure organisers and delegates to southeast Queensland.
“Brisbane’s business events market is thriving, fuelled by robust economic growth; globally leading universities and research institutions; strategic infrastructure investments; and rapid urban development,” says Chittick.
“The city’s corporate travel sector is booming, with Tourism Research Australia’s National Visitor Survey data for year ending September 2024 indicating a record 34.3 per cent year-on-year surge in domestic business travel – the highest growth rate among Australian capital cities.
“With its combination of economic strength, growing business opportunities and world-class infrastructure, Brisbane is making its mark as a key player in the global business events landscape.”
The Star Brisbane
The crowing jewel in the Queen’s Wharf precinct, on the southern edge of the CBD along Brisbane River, The Star Brisbane commenced its staged opening in August 2024. Featuring a hotel, casino, events centre, restaurants and bars, the facility is grand in scale and ambitious in design.
The Star Grand Hotel boasts luxurious 5-star accommodation across 340 rooms offering sweeping views of Brisbane River and South Bank. The venue’s incredible Sky Deck offers similar views in an open-air setting – plus a glass-floor viewing platform at 100 metres elevation – and 250 metres of skyline bars, restaurants, cafes and open space.
The 3500-square-metre The Star Brisbane Event Centre features the city’s largest ballroom, which has capacity for 1440 seated patrons. Located on level six of The Star Brisbane, the events centre heroes a central glass atrium, floor-to-ceiling windows, cutting-edge audiovisual equipment, an outdoor terrace, and a pre-function bar with views of Story Bridge.
Guests at The Star Brisbane are spoilt for choice when it comes to fine cuisine and memorable dining experiences. Sokyo brings theatre and sensory experiences to its Japanese culinary offering with an Australian twist. Aloria is a refined, yet relaxed restaurant blending Australian and European dishes on the level-23 Sky Deck, while Fat Noodle brings all the flavours of southeast Asia to Queensland.
Other dining and bar options include Cicada Blu on the Sky Deck, HUA, Pompette, Lúc Lắc, Dark Shepherd, Azteca, Black Hide Steak and Seafood by Gambaro, and Cucina Regina.
Naldham House
Located in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, Naldham House is a vibrant revival of one of the city’s most beautiful heritage buildings. Built in 1864, it was originally the home of the Australian United Steam Navigation Company – a symbol of Brisbane’s maritime history. The building has had many iterations during the decades, but its modern restored version has reopened as a brasserie and bar, offering European dining with a local slant.
The venue also houses event spaces, catering for groups in the brasserie or outdoor terrace. The private dining and event offerings are suitable for intimate celebrations and large-scale business functions, featuring ornate interiors, flexible layouts and tailored event packages.
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Since opening in 1995, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre has hosted thousands of events of all sizes, delivering a $5.5 billion boost to the Queensland economy. With a sharp focus on innovation and sustainability, the venue’s team has a wealth of industry knowledge to deliver world-class experiences with award-winning service.
Featuring 44 multi-functional meetings and events spaces, BCEC is one of the premier venues in Queensland. The collection of spaces includes the Great Hall, Boulevard Auditorium, Plaza Ballroom, Sky Room and Terrace, and Boulevard Room, as well as executive boardrooms, speaker presentation centres and four dedicated exhibition halls.
The new Neville Bonner Bridge across Brisbane River has made access to BCEC even greater, with direct access by foot from Queen’s Wharf.
Howard Smith Wharves
Brisbane residents are understandably proud of the riverside Howard Smith Wharves precinct, which offers bars and dining under the famous Story Bridge.
Home to Felons Brewing Co and acclaimed restaurants such as Greca, Mr Percival’s, Stanley Restaurant, Yoko Dining, Ciao Papi and Fiume Rooftop Bar, there is a huge variety of cuisine to suit every palate. The venue also houses a range of indoor and outdoor event spaces to suit groups of all sizes.
Amora Hotel
This 5-star hotel in the city centre features 296 rooms and suites, a restaurant serving modern Australian cuisine, the Lobby Bar, and a cafe for casual eats.
The hotel also has 11 sophisticated and flexible function spaces, accommodating meetings and social events ranging from two to 280 guests.
